This is a phase I/II open-label study that is evaluating the toxicity and efficacy of nilotinib combined with mitoxantrone, etoposide, and high-dose cytarabine (NOVE-HiDAC) chemotherapy for patients with poor-risk acute myeloid leukemia (AML). There are two parts to the study. The first part (Phase I) will determine the maximum dose of nilotinib that can safely be given when combined with NOVE-HiDAC. This dose will then be used in combination with the NOVE-HiDAC regimen in the second part of the study (Phase II), which will evaluate the antileukemic activity of the treatment. The patients who achieve complete remission from the induction therapy (1 cycle) will then receive consolidation therapy combined with nilotinib (maximum of 2 cycles).